Usagi, Japans Stenen Konijn Standbeeld

Rabbits hold a rich and deeply symbolic place within Japanese mythology, folklore, and traditional art. In Japan, rabbits are associated with the moon, wisdom, longevity, fertility, and spiritual transformation. Their symbolism is gentle and auspicious, making them a beloved motif in temples, seasonal festivals, ceramics, textiles, and garden art, such as this stone statue.

The most famous rabbit legend in Japan is the story of the Moon Rabbit, Tsuki no Usagi (月の兎). According to Japanese folklore, the patterns on the surface of the moon resemble a rabbit that uses a wooden mallet to grind rice into a mortar. Instead of the “man in the moon,” as is customary in Western traditions, Japanese culture traditionally depicts a rabbit making mochi rice cakes.